Mark C. Holmstrom began taking piano lessons at age 9 and added organ studies at age 15. He started his life-long work as a church organist at Epiphany Lutheran Church in 1967 moving over to First Lutheran Church of Northridge in 1973 where he later also became Music Director and played keyboards in the praise band. In 2010 he moved to his current church position at Camarillo United Methodist Church which boasts a hybrid Rodgers/Shantz organ. He had many opportunities to play the Steiner-Reck tracker action organ in Samuelson Chapel during his 17 years at California Lutheran University, while accompanying the CLU Choirs and later as University Organist. A highlight of his time with the CLU Choir was the 2006 Scandinavian Tour where he was privileged to play Preludes for the Choir Concerts on the magnificent organs in the Cathedrals in Norway and Sweden. His career has also included accompanying various Choral groups over the years. These have included the Los Robles Chamber Singers (under James Stemen) and the Los Robles Master Chorale (under Leslie Leighton,) the Wagner Ensemble (led by Roger Wagner’s daughter, Jeannine Wagner) and several Comedy Tonight’s productions including Ruddigore, Oklahoma, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Pirates of Penzance. He currently accompanies the choirs and vocal students at Ventura College, under Brent Wilson, and has played in the pit orchestra in many of the Opera and Musical productions. He also plays keyboards in the Camarillo Seniors of Note Big Band. Mark is delighted and honored to be collaborating with Dr. Morton and Areté this fall season.